Legislature spares CSU projects, but cuts FRCC's

Clark renovations, vet medicine center still on deck

Mar. 21, 2008

Written by

JASON KOSENA

JasonKosena @coloradoan.com

DENVER - On what some lawmakers called "Black Thursday," three major state-funded construction projects in Fort Collins were put at risk - two will live to completion and one will not.

A budget report released Thursday morning showed future revenue forecasts were $693.8 million less than expected over the next five years, a funding reality that forced the Legislature to cut nearly in half its list of capital development projects.

Colorado State University's $42 million diagnostic medicine center at the veterinarian teaching hospital and the $6 million Clark Building renovation were spared and will be completed as planned, but the new science wing proposed on the Front Range Community College campus in Fort Collins will not.

"The CSU system fared well today," said Sen. Bob Bacon, D-Fort Collins, who chairs the Capital Develop-ment Committee, which sends funding recommendations to the Joint Budget Committee for construction projects on state buildings.

"It was unfortunate, however, that the state's community colleges, including Front Range, couldn't (be funded). They are very worthy projects that we tried desperately to get (funded); but with limited state funds, we couldn't get them into the queue."

The budget report, which caught lawmakers by surprise, predicted general revenue forecasts to decrease by $486.7 million over a five-year period, while cash fund forecasts decrease by $207.1 million.

As a result there will be no spillover money from the state's General Fund to 1310, the state fund for capital construction, in the foreseeable future.

The capital committee had expected to receive $80 million to $90 million this year to pay for capital construction projects in 2009-10. It now expects to get half that amount, or $48.1 million, with no additional funding coming for years.

"I feel like I am at a funeral," said Rep. Buffy McFadden, D-Pueblo, a committee member. "This is awful news."

Joint Budget Committee members agreed.

"There is no money for 1310 in the next several years and maybe no money for Senate Bill 1 (which funds transportation projects)," said Rep. Bernie Buesher, D-Grand Junction, a member of the budget committee. "We're going to have to make some difficult decisions today."

Many state projects were taken off the funding list, most notably construction repairs and expansions to the state's prison system.